Researchers explore use of frack wastewater for clean irrigation

By Michigan State University | April 02, 2019

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Michigan State University will share almost $3 million to develop a freshwater recovery system to extract clean irrigation water from hydraulic fracturing wastewater. The reclaimed water could help dry western states that need water for crops and livestock.

The collaboration with Oregon State University and the University of Nevada Reno is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy.

Finding a way to reuse fracking wastewater is important because of the sheer amount produced. For example, oil companies in Texas and New Mexico generate enough wastewater to fill more than 1,000 Olympic-size swimming pools daily.

MSU’s goal is to use low-grade solar or industrial waste heat to develop a new process of extracting clean water from the fracking wastewater. Researchers hope to create a system that is modular, portable, scalable and easily deployable in the field.

Andre Benard, associate professor of mechanical engineering, will serve as MSU’s lead investigator. He’ll work with MSU Foundation Professor James Klausner, chair and professor of mechanical engineering.

“MSU’s focus will be designing the novel multiphase heat exchangers needed for the process,” Benard said. “We’re working on a system that will efficiently separate, condense and reclaim purified water from wastewater, using a heat-activated swirling nozzle and in-line demister, which helps remove droplets from the vapor stream.”

MSU’s solution will provide an alternative to current practices. Generally, the salty wastewater is disposed of by pumping it deep underground via injection wells.

“There is a strong focus on delivering a low-cost wastewater treatment solution by leveraging the novel treatment system fabricated with low-cost materials,” Klausner added.

ARPA-E supports the development of innovative technologies to transform the nation’s energy system. Since 2009, it has provided $1.8 billion in research and development.